6 things that will make your car last over 400,000mi and 500,000 miles

This is a brief video explaining tips and tricks (not really tricks) to get your car to last even 500k miles. This is not a ‘maybe’ video. If you follow the suggestions your car will last longer than typical.

Like and subscribe! And I hope this helps someone.

[MagaSwan]

I am 64 years old and have taken a car to a shop 5-7 times since I was 15 years old. These things are good to hear from you.

[jimharris]

Start with a reliable, simple engine, like a gm 3.8. Then, run full synthetic oil, change it at no more than 5000 miles, check religiously and keep at the proper level, and don't overheat it. If your manual says oil change interval is 8000, do it at 5000. If your cars computer says oil life is 50% and you have 5000 miles on it, change it.

[videomaniac]

I have a Nissan 370z with the VQ37VHR engine. This engine is very efficient, in terms of the horsepower per liter or horsepower per kg of weight, but it is very hard on the engine oil, due to the high shearing forces and high temperatures imposed on it by the complex intake valvetrain mechanism. Nissan recommends a particular 5W-30 oil and recommends changing it at 3750 miles. My experience, along with used oil analysis reports that I've read on the oil in this engine, shows that the viscosity is shearing down to a 20 weight oil by 3K miles, hence my 3K mile oil change intervals with this oil. I'm currently conducting a test on a boutique high-performance oil that I'm hoping will be able to make it to 5K miles without breaking down or getting excessively contaminated. I'm also monitoring the rate of wear of various metals in the engine with the used oil analysis reports.

[meastwood]

My wife’s 2008 highlander hybrid has 403k on her. She won’t give it up. Last year of the 3.3. Just replaced the hybrid relay under back seats due to water intrusion. Very easy. Water leaks through holes under rear bumper. Reply if you need info on that.

[allie_w]

Very informative video! Thanks for the tips.

[MikeKayK]

The 5k mile oil change interval isn't really because of the oil breaking down (synthetic won't break down very much in 5k miles), it's more so do with 1) oil getting diluted with water and fuel over time (hence it's not just every 5k miles but every 6 months, whichever comes first, because short trips are especially bad for diluting the oil) and 2) the fact that not all oil drains every time you do an oil change, so long oil change intervals means you're always going to have a little bit of 20k mile oil in your engine which some engines (e.g. Toyotas) are going to be much more sensitive to (sludge, oil control rings going out and causing oil burning, etc.) Second, I think that for most cars an 80k trans fluid change (drain and refill) is pushing it and I would stick to 30-40k mile intervals tops. Third, I'd like to add that if you want to take your car to 500k miles without major repairs you should warm up properly on cold starts (idling for a bit first...longer in colder weather...and then driving very gently until everything is fully warmed up is important for both engine and transmission longevity). Lastly, not driving the car aggressively in general is a good rule of thumb to keep wear & tear lower.

[dlg]

The problem with following the manufacturer's maint schedule is that their suggested intervals are typically WAY too long for fluid changes. I do my fluid changes more often than they suggest, especially engine oil/filter.

[williammouri]

Don't drive like an idiot. Slam on gas. Slam on brakes. Redline the engine. Run it hard when not up to operating temp. Drive it gently and you will maximize the life of your car.

[j-bird]

My uncle has an early 2000s Hyundai accent. A car not known for reliability. Despite this, he has over 600k on the car mainly due to proper maintenance. He does wash it and wax it when possible due to living in the rust belt. No visible rust anywhere on the car.
He also has a 1957 Plymouth which he has had since the late 60s. That car has at least 350k on it and also has minimal problems and only one spot of rust.

[robsolf]

I'm a car guy, so doing maintenance is a no brainer. So while there are some lemons out there, just the act of doing maintenance reasonably by the book makes all the difference in the world. Second, is knowing the weaknesses in your car. I had a Dodge Shadow with the Mitsu V6, which started burning oil around 85k(pretty typical). Kept oil in it, didn't overfill, and it hit 200k before I gave it to my brother who didn't and it was dead in a year. Had a PT Cruiser GT which went from 80k to 170k where the only issues were an intake gasket, a rear suspension component, and CV joints. Neither of those vehicles are famous for their reliability, but simple maintenance made them cheap to own and use. Now I have an '06 Mustang GT and a 22 Jeep Wrangler. The Mustang needed rear axle shafts, everything else has been maintenance for 60k miles. I've used semi and full synthetic, though I honestly think most would be fine with normal oil unless they've constantly got their foot in it. Jeep's needed nothing, so far. Keep the oil clean and the chassis lubed, and research your vehicle to find out what things tend to go bad and save money to fix them. Just do that, and your 90% there.

[clydebailliff]

Many modern cars have iridium spark plugs that are usually scheduled for 100 thousand miles, and some cars are scheduled for even longer intervals. I always change mine at 100 thousand, because they have done their job and not very expensive. I have noticed that every iridium plug that I have replaced looked remarkably clean and good. You may be able to upgrade your plugs on older vehicles and get a much longer life cycle.

[AmpdEngineering]

Please all, subscribe👍🏾. It helps to make more content. Hopes this helps someone

Thanks!

[mattkeller]

I flush my transmissions and have never had a problem. Several 4Runners and Camrys. They were all 100k plus mile intervals

[europana]

I change my oil every morning before I go to work 🤪😜🤪😜

[byronmcgee]

And drive it like you want to keep it, not like speed racer.

[colin-nekritz]

I have 275, 000 miles on a 1999 Lexus RX300. Besides wearables the only thing it’s needed is timing belt and I pushed that to almost 200K like an idiot and it started to slip but didn’t not seize the engine and O2 sensors, that’s it. Timing chain (once) along with the water pump (they both get changed together) and two O2 sensors. 275, 000 for a Lexus is just getting broken in. At my Lexus dealer they said my car has lower miles than many of the 98-01s, many they see gave over 500K.

[chente]

That's good that that's working for you as for me I have six cars I got a 2000 Honda Accord V6 1 / 300, 000 I got a 2004 Dodge Ram with 450, 000 pagar online Honda Civic with over 500, 000 and I got a 2003 Acura TL that has 428, 000 I change my oil every 7, 500 MI transmission oil every 30 to 40, 000 MI spark plugs timing belt and water pump every hundred thousand miles also the coolant at 100, 000 all original Motors and Transmissions we'll see how long they last now that my kids are driving them😂😢

[ladybugwest]

what if you drive low miles but the car is old, so change oil every 6 months regardless of miles? my car is 5 years old, but only has 20k miles on it, so don't fluids break down over time, same as with wear?

[davidbee]

2016 civic is great. ( Except the AC problem, )

[sird]

Always turn off your (A) automatic stop because it cuts years off your engines life ~ no way will you get 200, 000 miles ~ it’s the same as if you you start your engine an extra 10-20, 000 times more